Electric scooters, hoverboards, electric unicycles or even e-skates, all these names are now part of common language when discussing the different modes of transport.
The recent explosion of these new individual electric vehicles (NVEI) in urban areas is not without danger. This has involved defining a new legal framework but also to rethink the offer at the level insurance policies for the 1.5 million French people using them.
Are we required to insure these new vehicles? How to protect yourself? What does an insurance for NVEI cover?
Why are NVEI not covered by standard insurance?
The NVEI category
Electric scooters, hoverboards, electric unicycles, and other new electric vehicles are part of the "NVEI" category: New Individual Electric Vehicles.
The regulations are unclear on this new category of NVEI: they do not fall into the category of pedestrians, electric bikes, or scooters.
As the regulations are still unclear, law enforcement remains tolerant towards them.
What a standard insurance covers
Your home insurance provides what is called "civil liability". This coverage protects you if you cause damage to a third party. Example: you fall on a shop window in the street and break it, you hit a person on a bike, etc.
The civil liability of your home insurance therefore covers you when cycling or on a scooter (without a motor). However, unless coverage is extended, it does not cover you on board motorized vehicles, so on board NVEI.
NVEI (limited to 25km/h) are also not covered by car-motorcycle insurance because they are not really considered mopeds.
Is it mandatory to insure your electric scooter, hoverboard, or other electric vehicle?
Yes, it is mandatory to insure your NVEI, at least for civil liability, according to the French Insurance Federation.
Insuring does not mean registration certificate and license plate, but it is enough to declare it to an insurance organization to ride with peace of mind.
They are subject to the same civil liability insurance obligation as motorized vehicles such as cars or motorcycles. You must therefore be covered for all damages you may cause during your travels.
Driving a motorized vehicle without insurance (so motorcycle, car but also NVEI) is a violation of regulations. But again, there is currently some tolerance, especially for vehicles limited to 25km/h.
NVEI liability insurance rates
No more worries about everyday hassles, Weebot has the solution for you at a low price.
At Weebot, it is possible to insure your electric scooter or electric bike from €3.50 per month.
Insure your electric scooter or EDPM vehicles and benefit from 30 days of free protection against accidental damage and theft.
But also, in case of breakdown, damage, theft, or even a simple flat tire, taxi and/or towing costs are reimbursed!
Weeclub Premium offers you several plans adapted to your vehicle, you just have to choose the one that suits you!
Condition to insure your NVEI
In order to be eligible for insurance, these new electric vehicles must be CE approved.
What are the guarantees of an NVEI insurance?
Minimum coverage
Civil Liability Guarantee
An NVEI insurance obligatorily covers your civil liability on board the vehicle. That means it covers you for all damages you may cause to others or to property.
Legal Defense and Recourse Guarantee
This guarantee allows you to insure your defense when you are subject to legal proceedings or claims by a third party challenging your civil liability.
Optional coverages
Individual Accident Guarantee
You are covered when you are injured during a traffic accident with your electric bike.
Theft
You are covered in case of theft or attempted theft committed following an assault by a third party. Damage suffered by your electric bike following its disappearance or deterioration is covered.
Collision damage
Your electric bike is covered in case of collision with a third party.
A package including optional guarantees will be available soon.
Is it mandatory to wear a helmet?
For now, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet to drive these new vehicles. Their status remains unclear with regard to the highway code, so there are no rules yet requiring a helmet or gloves as for scooters.
It is also not mandatory to be able to activate your civil liability. However, it will be mandatory under the Individual Accident guarantee.
However, we strongly recommend that you wear one. Indeed, there is no cabin on NVEI, so you are very exposed to traffic and its dangers.
Here are our answers to the main questions about NVEI insurance.
Do not hesitate if you have other questions, we will do our best to answer them!